It happened again! Last month I was diving in Caribic islands and experienced the same situation as many times before in different places. We all got on the boat - actually a group of strangers. I asked one of the divemasters - who will be my buddy. "I will", she replied. OK then, what could be better? However, during the dives she often deserted me. In one instance in the very same moment I tried to signal that I am low on air and must ascend, she made a fast descent of some 4 - 5 meters to see something in the wreck. I had to decide whether to follow her down or ascend on my own. Another time she made me a sign to follow another divemaster who had not a clue about it and went somewhere else. She was already onboard when I was still swalowing samples of the waves and waiting for my turn to grab the ladder. The same thing often happens everywhere with strangers as your buddies.
In a context of another discussion I was told that this is what the 1st rule was about. Well... I'm not sure how this rule is formulated, but how on the earth is it possible to implement it on a dive boat full with strangers and unpredictable divemasters? BTW this particular dive center had splendid reviews - that was why I chose them. And in many respects they were good, indeed.
Whatever the 1st rule is, under these circumstances it is highly probable to end up as a solo diver. It seems to me that a SDI Solo Diver certificate is a must-have to dive with tour operators and without your own buddy. How do you handle this problem?
Best wishes!
J.
In a context of another discussion I was told that this is what the 1st rule was about. Well... I'm not sure how this rule is formulated, but how on the earth is it possible to implement it on a dive boat full with strangers and unpredictable divemasters? BTW this particular dive center had splendid reviews - that was why I chose them. And in many respects they were good, indeed.
Whatever the 1st rule is, under these circumstances it is highly probable to end up as a solo diver. It seems to me that a SDI Solo Diver certificate is a must-have to dive with tour operators and without your own buddy. How do you handle this problem?
Best wishes!
J.
Last edited: